Animals used in film and television production face welfare challenges from training methods, set environments, transportation, and the demands of repeated performance takes under artificial conditions.
Film and television animal welfare has improved significantly with the spread of CGI, but concerns remain for productions still using live animals. Set environments with bright lights, unfamiliar noise, and crowds of crew members cause stress in sensitive species. Repeated takes for performance shots accumulate stress for individual animals. Transport between locations and temporary holding conditions may be inadequate for welfare needs. Historical action sequences involving horses have caused documented deaths and injuries. Welfare-positive production uses positive reinforcement training, minimises animal time on set, uses CGI for dangerous sequences, and ensures trained welfare monitors are present throughout filming.